Capitalism checks in: Where Italy’s Communists once celebrated, suites go for up to RM18,800
ROME, Nov 13 — “Luxury is the opposite of the naturally necessary,” wrote Karl Marx – but t...
A new five-star hotel in Rome, formerly the headquarters of Italy's Communist Party, has sparked debate among locals. Karl Marx famously wrote that luxury is the opposite of necessity, but this appears to be the case at the Thompson Rome by Hyatt. Rooms in the hotel, costing between €550 and €4,000 (RM2,585 to RM18,800) in high season, are not aimed at the working class.
The building, once a symbol of the Communist Party's power, has transformed into a luxurious destination, with little left of its original structure. The property, which began construction in 1941, was completed under Fascism and renovated recently by architect Renzo Costa. The hotel's lobby features elements of travertine and marble, while the rooms retain vintage furnishings, including 1940s-era armchairs and brass sconces.
Despite the building's history, the hotel's website makes no mention of it. Locals are divided over the change, with some praising the creation of jobs and others calling for more affordable housing.
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